Ekiti recruits volunteers to assist women on safe delivery

In a bid to combat untimely death due to treatable diseases and improve the life expectancy of people, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, in partnership with the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), has launched a free medical outreach for residents of Ekiti State.

The senator, representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, officially kicked off the week-long programme, yesterday, in his Iyin-Ekiti country home.

Bamidele, while speaking with journalists at the event, said that the free medical intervention was strategic in helping his constituents understand their health status and to offer free treatment for those diagnosed with hidden ailments.

The Senate Leader, who was represented by his Senior Legislative Aide, Gbenga Banji, emphasised that the initiative was aimed at improving the life expectancy of the populace and bring the dividends of democracy closer to the people, regardless of age and status.

He said that the intervention would cover all five local councils in his constituency to offer free medical services for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension, among others.

In his submission, Chairman of the NMA, Ekiti State branch, Dr Oreyemi Ifedayo, commended the lawmaker for the initiative, noting that it would help people who are often burdened by out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and lack of access to free medical care.

However, the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Adeola Ajakaye, represented by the Odofinyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Ayodeji Esan, lauded Bamidele for launching the outreach in his hometown, describing it as a fitting initiative.

In another development, Ekiti State government has recruited health volunteers to reach out to pregnant women in all the 177 wards of the state to ensure they have access to primary healthcare facilities so as to guarantee their safe delivery.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, disclosed this, yesterday, during the launch of the 354 health vanguards drawn from the 177 wards of the state.

Filani said that the role of the health volunteers would be to encourage pregnant women, inform them about ante-natal care services and birth services, as well as ensure they link them up with PHC services for safe delivery.

Also speaking at the event, the Project Director, Solina Health, under the IMPCAT Project, Ayodele Alegbeleye, said that healthcare services could be brought to the doorsteps of service beneficiaries across the state in partnership with the state government.

He said that if any pregnant woman goes through the existing structure, which is the basic healthcare provision fund or Ulerawa, she would enjoy free service.